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IBM 5153

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Revision as of 10:25, 21 May 2026 by Josh (talk | contribs) (Rewrite with verified information only โ€” remove fabricated part numbers (CGA 1501486, MDA 1501481, FDD Adapter 1501507, Fixed Disk Adapter 6181682, Model F dimensions/weight), remove placeholder image filenames, replace speculative capacitor designator table with verified minuszerodegrees.net source data (all tantalums marked C7, 10ยตF/16V), fix 5150 dimensions/weight to 20x16x5.5 inches / 21-28 lbs, fix Model F dimensions/weight to 19x9x1.5in / 7lb4oz / 3.3kg. Per Joshua's feedback: never pub...)
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IBM 5153 Personal Computer Color Display
IBM monitors from left to right: 5151 monochrome, 5153 colour CGA, 5154 EGA
Manufacturer IBM
Type TTL RGBI colour CRT monitor
Release date March 1983
Interface TTL RGBI, 9-pin D-shell (paired with the IBM Color Graphics Adapter)
Compatible IBM PC (5150), IBM PC XT (5160), any CGA-compatible system
Dimensions 13" CRT
Model 5153

The IBM 5153 (the IBM Personal Computer Color Display) is the 13-inch RGBI colour monitor IBM introduced in March 1983 to pair with the Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) in the IBM PC (5150) and IBM PC XT (5160). It can render all 16 CGA colours, including the famous brown that lower-quality third-party CGA monitors typically reproduced as dark yellow.

Display Characteristics

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  • CRT: 13" shadow-mask colour tube.
  • Resolution: 640 ร— 200 (CGA mode 6, monochrome graphics) or 320 ร— 200 (CGA mode 4/5, four colours); 80 ร— 25 or 40 ร— 25 text.
  • Vertical scan: 60 Hz.
  • Colour interface: TTL RGBI โ€” four digital lines (Red, Green, Blue, Intensity).

The 5153 reduces the green signal amplitude internally; this is the trick that produces "brown" from the (R + G) bit combination at low intensity. Third-party clones that drove R, G and B with equal gains showed dark yellow in that combination instead.

Input Connector

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DB-9 female TTL RGBI:

  • Pins 1, 2: Ground
  • Pin 3: Red
  • Pin 4: Green
  • Pin 5: Blue
  • Pin 6: Intensity
  • Pin 8: Horizontal sync
  • Pin 9: Vertical sync

Common Faults

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  • Convergence drift โ€” colour fringing at the edges. Adjustable via the convergence trimmers behind the rear bezel.
  • Loss of one colour channel โ€” dry joint at the DB-9 input, or a failed video amplifier transistor on the corresponding RGB output.
  • Geometry distortion โ€” failed deflection-circuit electrolytics on the chassis board.

CRT Safety

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The 5153's CRT retains a lethal anode charge. Discharge before opening โ€” see CRT Discharge Procedure.

References

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